International: Africa
DRC dilemma: Generate oil wealth or combat climate change?
16 Mar 2023
The Democratic Republic of Congo wants more money for climate projects. Otherwise, oil drilling could replace fishermen in the world's largest peat bog. And that could spell devastation for the environment.
African climate activists fight online surveillance
27 Feb 2023
When Tanzanian climate activists posed as delivery couriers to get into energy firm TotalEnergies’ Dar es Salaam office and hand over a placard against a new oil pipeline, they were so fearful of reprisals they had a getaway car waiting.
Drought in Horn of Africa worse than in 2011 famine
23 Feb 2023
Drought trends in the Horn of Africa are now worse than they were during the 2011 famine in which hundreds of thousands of people died.
Nigeria's election: Candidates ignore climate change
23 Feb 2023
Nigeria has been badly hit by climate change, resulting in desertification, a shrinking Lake Chad in the north, flooding in the center and coastal erosion in the south. Yet the issue hasn't played a role in campaigning.
Why African EV startups are struggling
17 Feb 2023
In 2021, Nigerian mobility startup Metro Africa Xpress (MAX) became Africa’s most-funded startup in the electric vehicle (EV) space when it raised $31 million in a series B round to expand into Ghana and Egypt.
DR Congo delays rainforest oil auctions
2 Feb 2023
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has postponed its plans to allow oil companies to drill in its rainforests and peatlands.
Africa objects to US chairing UN climate fund, citing unpaid $2bn
27 Jan 2023
African governments sought to block the US from co-chairing the Green Climate Fund (GCF) board, citing its failure to deliver cash.
Horn of Africa may see record sixth straight failed rainy season
26 Jan 2023
The eastern Horn of Africa just saw an unprecedented fifth straight failed rainy season on record, making it the longest and most severe drought in 70 years of precipitation data.
Africa has a major new carbon market initiative - what you need to know
24 Jan 2023
The Conversation - Climate finance for the African continent got a boost at the 2022 United Nations Climate Conference (COP27), with the launch of the African Carbon Markets Initiative. This aims to make climate finance available for African countries, expand access to clean energy, and drive sustainable economic development.
Niger urges rich nations to make 'climate loss fund' operational
21 Dec 2022
The "loss and damage" fund agreed to last month at the COP27 climate conference aims for rich nations to help those that have borne the brunt of their global warming emissions. In Niger, climate change has fueled desertification and conflict as communities compete for dwindling resources.
Climate change is driving millions to the precipice of a ‘raging food catastrophe’
12 Dec 2022
In the Horn of Africa, a climate change-induced drought is exposing cracks in the global food system and pushing humanitarian aid to a breaking point.
South Africa turns to solar to help stop power cuts
30 Nov 2022
Young engineer Nolwazi Zulu says that when she was a teenager she decided that she would "go out and do something" about the regular power cuts that bedevil her community.
UK blue carbon venture plans to remove billions of tonnes of carbon off West Africa
25 Nov 2022
An aquaculture business aims to remove billions of tonnes of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere with a seaweed farm off West Africa. It has announced it will tokenise its annual goal of one billion carbon removal credits in a deal with a blockchain-based carbon marketplace.
World’s largest soil carbon removal project enlists Kenyan pastoralists
23 Nov 2022
When Andrew Dokhole, a community leader in Isiolo, northern Kenya, took on the task of explaining a proposed soil carbon removal project a decade ago, he had to convince largely illiterate people about the benefits of a “foreign” concept.
Experts blame climate change for West Africa flooding
18 Nov 2022
An international team of scientists believe severe flooding in Nigeria and surrounds was considerably worsened by climate change and believe the trend could continue.
African scientists call for nature-based solution to climate crisis
1 Nov 2022
Harnessing Africa's vast natural resources, including tropical forests, coastal mangroves and peatlands, offers a cheaper and sustainable pathway to a greener and resilient future for the continent, scientists said on Monday.
Analysis: Africa’s unreported extreme weather in 2022 and climate change
28 Oct 2022
From deadly floods in Nigeria to devastating drought in Somalia, Africa has faced a run of severe – and sometimes unprecedented – extreme weather events since the start of 2022.
Africa headed for climate showdown with rich nations
25 Oct 2022
African leaders say industrialized countries should pay to save the planet rather than expecting them to forego oil and gas development.
South Africa’s EV dream threatens $8.5 billion in climate aid
19 Oct 2022
South Africa wants to spend billions of dollars fostering an electric vehicle industry, complicating efforts to finalize an $8.5 billion climate aid package before next month’s United Nations climate summit.
Climate crisis could increase African country debts by $1 trillion
18 Oct 2022
Sub-Saharan African countries will have to take on almost $1 trillion in debt over the next 10 years unless wealthy countries provide adequate finance to address the climate crisis, according to a new report published on Monday, October 17, 2022, by Debt Justice and Climate Action Network International.
Marine institute eyes share of carbon trading billions
13 Oct 2022
The Kenya Marine Fisheries Research Institute (Kmfri) is planning to launch a carbon credit offset project in Lamu County. The project will emulate Kwale’s Mikoko Pamoja, the first carbon credit project where communities conserve mangroves and earn from offsets.
African countries redefine energy transition, urge more fossil fuel investments ahead of climate negotiations
11 Oct 2022
High-ranking officials in the African Union as well as energy ministers from several African countries have used the Africa Oil Week and Green Energy Africa summit this week to call for more fossil fuel investments and greater energy access ahead of UN climate negotiations to be held in Egypt next month.
When the EU and US score climate points off China, Africa suffers: comment
22 Sep 2022
Africa’s contribution to climate change is historically negligible. Around 15% of the world’s population lives on the continent but contribute less than 3.8% of greenhouse emissions responsible for global warming.
Kenya’s new president promises ambitious climate plan
15 Sep 2022
Kenya's newly elected president William Ruto said that climate change will be key to the government's agenda and made an ambitious pledge to ramp up clean energy and phase out fossil fuels for electricity by 2030.
African nations demand climate change financing ahead of COP27
12 Sep 2022
The African continent emits only some 3% of global CO2 emissions, yet is among the most exposed to climate change.
Forests make a comeback as African governments look to grow their carbon market
12 Sep 2022
In villages dotted across the African continent, locals living in once-heavily forested regions are starting to find their land in high demand.
Electric batteries are fueling the shift from petrol-powered bikes in Kenya
2 Sep 2022
Thousands of e-motorcycles have been provided by startup Roam to riders in Kenya, to initiate the move from petrol to electric.
Can Southern Africa grow without fossil fuels?
25 Aug 2022
If current trends in the energy system continue, wind and solar will outcompete other power sources on cost and rapidly come to dominate the electrical grid in Southern Africa, according to a new study.
Why climate change is Africa’s biggest ‘existential challenge’
24 Aug 2022
Climate change is the biggest “existential challenge” to Africa’s development and is eroding many of its development gains, according to the African Development Bank.
Climate-related drought and flooding in Ethiopia
17 Aug 2022
One part of Ethiopia is facing the worst drought in four decades and another is hit by flooding. Millions of people are at risk as climate change causes too much and too little rain.
Africa getting just 12% of financing needed to adapt to climate change -report
12 Aug 2022
Africa is getting just 12% of the finance it needs to manage the impact of climate change, a report on Thursday said, raising pressure on rich nations to do more in the run up to global climate talks in November.
African climate diplomats reject African Union’s pro-gas stance for Cop27
5 Aug 2022
African climate negotiators have quashed a proposal by the African Union to promote gas as a bridge fuel for the continent at UN talks.
‘Our priority is not to save the planet’: rainforest auctioned for oil drilling
28 Jul 2022
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has announced that it will auction off vast quantities of critical tropical peatlands and rainforests for oil and gas drilling, just months after promising to preserve them at the COP26 climate conference.
Two million to access solar power in rural Nigeria
22 Jul 2022
Husk Power Systems, an off-grid energy services company, aims to provide two million people in rural Nigeria with reliable solar power.
Congo peat swamps store three years of global carbon emissions – imminent oil drilling could release it
22 Jul 2022
Democratic Republic of the Congo’s government is preparing to auction off a series of licenses to drill for oil in the Congo basin. This threatens to damage around 11 million hectares of the world’s second largest rainforest.
Under pressure from climate change, Morocco's oases struggle to support life
19 Jul 2022
In the south of Morocco's High Atlas mountains is one of the few palm tree oases still inhabited in the country.
Climate change amplifies the risk of conflict, study from Africa shows
14 Jul 2022
In October 2021, the city of Guriel in Somalia’s Galguduud region became the epicenter of fierce fighting between the national army and a paramilitary group that left more than 100 people dead and displaced another 100,000.
Kenyan bourse brings carbon exchange to East Africa
14 Jul 2022
Climate change mitigation efforts in Kenya have received new impetus after the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE), inked a deal with the AirCarbon Exchange (ACX) and the Nairobi International Finance Centre (NIFC) to set up Kenya’s first carbon offset exchange.
Gabon to sell €275m worth of carbon credits before COP27
5 Jul 2022
For Gabon, forests are rich in with economic opportunity. The country plans to create 187 million carbon credits and sell half of them on the offset market.
Climate change threatens coffee growers in Tanzania
4 Jul 2022
Coffee-growing farmers in Tanzania’s northern Kilimanjaro region are bearing the brunt of climate change, which is affecting their incomes and livelihoods.
Indigenous Ogiek win ‘landmark’ reparations ruling from African Court
28 Jun 2022
The Republic of Kenya must pay the Indigenous Ogiek people reparations for decades of illegal evictions from their ancestral land in the Mau Forest.
Commonwealth adopts historic accord to combat climate change through land use
27 Jun 2022
Commonwealth leaders last week adopted the “Living Lands Charter”, which commits all member countries to safeguarding global land resources while taking coordinated action on climate change, biodiversity loss and sustainable land management.
Can Africa grow without fossil fuels
7 Jun 2022
As the developed world demands emissions cuts, the continent’s leaders are asking whether it is possible to industrialize on green energy alone.
Climate change puts agrivoltaic projects in Northern Africa in the spotlight
31 May 2022
As food and energy security emerge as top priorities in several regions, an innovative use of existing technologies might help serve both: Agrivoltaic projects allow energy production and agricultural activity on the same land, potentially increasing farming productivity.
In Tanzania, carbon offsets preserve forests and a way of life
26 May 2022
Carbon offsets have been criticised for failing to provide carbon savings and ignoring the needs of local communities. But in Tanzania, hunter-gatherer tribes are earning a good return for their carbon credits and protecting their forests from poachers and encroaching agriculture.
Failure to save the Congo Basin forest ‘would mean world loses climate fight’
24 May 2022
Failing to conserve the carbon-rich forests of the Congo Basin would mean the world loses the fight against climate change, officials in Gabon have warned.
Growing African mangrove forests aim to combat climate woes
9 May 2022
In a bid to protect coastal communities from climate change and encourage investment, African nations are increasingly turning to mangrove restoration projects, with Mozambique becoming the latest addition to the growing list of countries with large scale mangrove initiatives.
DR Congo approves auction of oil blocks in one of the world’s largest carbon sinks
5 May 2022
Cabinet ministers in the Democratic Republic of Congo have approved the auction of 16 oil blocks, including in one of the world’s largest carbon sinks and most environmentally sensitive areas.
West African countries pledge $294 billion to fight climate change
4 May 2022
The leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), a regional, political and economic union of west African countries, recently agreed to spend $294 billion over the next 10 years to fight against climate change.
African economies risk suffocation by 'shock' carbon tax
22 Apr 2022
The climate is surely one area where the European Union and African Union should be in step with one another. Curbing global warming and agreeing how to produce clean power would help keep more of the world habitable and prosperous.
Warmer seas fuel dangerous ‘weather bomb’ in New South Wales
3 Jul 2025
If the storm shapes up as predicted, we can expect to see damage to houses and trees as well as significant beach erosion – especially in heavily populated areas exposed to the storm’s southern flank.
Trump’s ‘big beautiful bill’ blows US emissions goal by 7bn tonnes
Tue 8 Jul 2025
President Donald Trump’s dismantling of climate policy means the US will add an extra 7bn tonnes of emissions to the atmosphere from now until 2030, compared to meeting its former climate pledge under the Paris Agreement.
China solar and wind installations break more world records
Mon 7 Jul 2025
China is leading the world in new solar and wind installations and doing so at a record-shattering pace.
EU countries seek more cuts to deforestation rules
Wed 9 Jul 2025
From December, the world-first deforestation law will require operators placing goods including soy, beef and palm oil, onto the EU market to provide proof their products did not cause deforestation.
Net-zero much cheaper than thought for UK – and unchecked global warming far more costly
Wed 9 Jul 2025
Reaching net-zero will be much cheaper for the UK government than previously expected – and the economic damages of unmitigated climate change far more severe.
Is Mark Carney turning his back on climate action?
23 Jun 2025
The G7 summit in Alberta, hosted by Prime Minister Mark Carney, has ended with only passing mention of fighting climate change, including a statement on wildfires that is silent on the pressing need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Türkiye's Parliament adopts first-ever climate law
Wed 9 Jul 2025
Promising a wide range of provisions and increased vigilance against climate change, the new law is to provide action plans on a national and local scale, while bolstering Türkiye’s 2053 climate goals and protecting the country from environmental disasters.
Nearly a third of Tuvaluans have applied for climate migration visa
27 Jun 2025
With their country threatened by sea level rise, the people of Tuvalu have been offered an escape route through an agreement with Australia, and many are contemplating leaving their home.
Melting glaciers and ice caps could unleash wave of volcanic eruptions, study says
Wed 9 Jul 2025
Research in Chile suggests the climate crisis makes eruptions more likely and explosive, and warns of Antarctica risk.
In Latin America, the energy transition stirs a rise in human rights lawsuits
Tue 8 Jul 2025
A new report shows that more than half of the 95 energy transition-related lawsuits recorded globally since 2009 took place in Latin America and the Caribbean.
UN development conference backs innovative ways to boost climate finance
Mon 7 Jul 2025
Leaders push for better financial systems at the Financing for Development summit to help poor nations cope with climate and economic shocks.
